[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

ON NEW HIGH-STAKES INDIVIDUAL DATES, CHARLIE MUST EITHER OFFER THE WOMAN A ROSE OR SEND HER HOME IMMEDIATELY, ON ABC'S "THE BACHELOR," MONDAY, APRIL 4

Battle Lines Are Drawn in the Bachelorette Pad, as the Competition for Charlie's Attention and Affection Begins in Earnest

Charlie Also Answers the Age Old Question -- Who Has More Fun, Blondes or Brunettes?

"Episode 702" -- Two lucky women are chosen as the most compatible with Charlie for the very first individual dates with him. But the ladies soon find out that, on this edition of "The Bachelor," these new type of one-on-one dates carry much higher stakes: Charlie will have the option of offering a rose during the date, but if he decides not to give the woman a rose, she will have to leave immediately, not even returning to the house, on "The Bachelor," MONDAY, APRIL 4 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

On Charlie's first individual dates, one woman is treated to dinner at the Savannah Steakhouse and the other goes on a romantic water taxi ride to the Brooklyn Brewery. The women pull out all the stops -- one of the girls believes Charlie prefers blondes and takes drastic measures, bleaching her dark hair blonde in an effort to make a lasting impression on him. Then, in the largest group date ever, Charlie will face the challenge of ten beautiful bikini-clad women all competing to win his heart during a steamy indoor pool party.

But tension is mounting in the house after the difficult first rose ceremony, with hotly contested rivalries forming quickly: one woman is singled out as an instigator in the house drama, while another is confronted for not spending enough time with the other women. After another exciting free-for-all discussion before the rose ceremony, Charlie will have to narrow the field from 12 to eight women.

Hosted by Chris Harrison, "The Bachelor" is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Telepictures Productions. Mike Fleiss is the executive producer. Lisa Levenson and Scott Jeffress are co-executive producers.